The common kingfisher, also known as the river kingfisher or the Eurasian kingfisher, is a small bird in the family Alcedinidae.

The kingfisher family includes over 90 species of small birds with large heads, long, laterally flattened, and sharp beaks, short legs, and tails. It includes three clads: Alcediniae, Halcyoninae, and Cerylinae. Among the Alcediniae there are Ispidina, Corythornis, Ceyx, and Alcedo.